If you are interested in history and have the ability to be reflective and imaginative, this is worth it. Don't pay attention to reviews that suggest the drive up is scary or dangerous. It's well paved and, as long as you're a safe, focused, observant driver, you won't have a problem. (And it isn't that steep. My hybrid made it up without any problem at all.) Here's the thing: the cave is small and has a steel grate protecting it, but you can look inside and carefully take pics if you want. If you are easily bored or have kids that are, you'll need to prepare yourself or them for this by talking up the importance of engaging your imagination to enrich the experience of seeing it in person: What would it have been like to be there thousands of years ago? What would a shaman do in this space? Why? How? The white ink was made from crushed shells, but this cave is high in the mountains. How did the shells get from the coast into the cave? Etc. Honestly, you'll spend more time driving to the cave than looking at it, but it can be worth it if you are interested enough. (A trip to the Natural History Museum afterward can deepen the experience post cave-viewing, as the Chumash culture is highlighted there.)

This place is awesome to see in person when you find it. It is a drive into the mountains off the 154. When you drive deep in the mountain the road narrows and let me tell you it gives you a mini anxiety attack haha. But when you get to it there is no parking. So you have to park off the road and hopefully find some space. It's cool but there's only one painted cave. It is awesome to see in person.

Although the cave was interesting it is gated locked to keep people from defacing the cave. There is no parking and the road up there isa small narrow one lane road. Very small cave and a long drive to find. Not worth the trip for me.

This place is sacred ground of the chumash indians. This cave used to be open to the public and u could walk in.. but now it has an iron gate. It is a historical landmark and a state park.. also an archeological site u may not deface take pick or destroy and of the land or its surrounding area its on chumash land.. and it is beautiful the 3 mile drive straight up a winding road only a very narrow road hardly fits to cars 1 going in each direction. Truly beautiful once u arrive there is no parking either.. I pulled off the road as much as I could to walk the 2 flight of rocky path up to the cave.. careful poison oak is all over up there its green now but soon it will be red.. so be careful.. enjoy the beauty I sure did.. there is a white sage plant at the bottom before you climb the stairs pik a couple leaves so when u get to the cave u can put ur hand thru the openings and give it to the spirit gods there alot of people do that and pray there I did..

Half the charm of this place it the steep, switchback laden road leading up to it that offers amazing, if not precarious, views. (I would not try bringing an RV or trailer up there.) The "park" is a wide spot on the road that can accommodate two vehicles. We came in from the south on Painted Cave Rd, drove past it a little ways, and used a driveway to turn around. The cave itself is more of an alcove, and it's gated off. That said, it's fun to wonder at the meaning of the paintings and location. It was a fun little side trip on our way from Solvang to Carpenteria. I enjoyed it, but the less imaginative may find it underwhelming.

A fantastic set of cave paintings. A steepy curvy road takes you there. The cave itself is tiny. You climb a few steps and the look through a mesh. But the reward is totally worth it. A must do near Santa Barbara on 254. No restrooms nearby, Only 2-3 cars can park at a time, and 1-2 people can look at the paintings.

Very interesting place, the views and winding roads are amazing, yes VERY small spot to park, 3 maybe 4 small cars tops but worth it, the trip up the mountain is half the fun.

Hard to drive to. You’re on a two way road but room for only on car. Just got lucky I wasn’t in a bad spot when I met other cars going the other way. Still pretty crazy to see.

Worthwhile detour if you have a couple of minutes to spare while in the Santa Barbara area. The cave is interesting, but the drive up was amazing. Beautiful views of the area!

Terrific piece of Chumash history. Bring your flashlight, there's only room for 3 cars to park alongside the cave which is located a short, inclined hike on uneven but stable rock. You peer thru an iron gate to see the ancient paintings inside the small cave. Happy they placed a gate so disrespectful people can't scroll their initials or otherwise disturb this precious art. Once we arrived it took us 15 minutes to view and photograph the paintings. You'll enjoy the winding and beautiful drive. There's a few turnouts to enjoy the view and take photos.

It's unfortunate that it's so difficult to view the paintings on account of the low light. But you can see what people are capable of when you don't put up cages to protect the sacred work of ancient peoples. And the parking options aren't great, which is probably a good thing. These photos are actually of the site just down the road where were there any paintings they've long been destroyed.

The site itself was great but there was no parking whatsoever on a very narrow road. We parked in one of the turnouts so we would block the road. Along the sides of certain areas I believe it was poison oak. It had 3 leaves on one stem and no thorns so I believe it is poison oak. We played it safe either way and avoided it.

I visited today. For a historic place, it is not kept well. No parking. The road up to there is dangerously narrow. It is just two paintings behind a locked iron grill. Will share some pictures here. The drive up there is fun. Don't know why it is called a 'park'

Stunning ancient Chumash art on display after a drive affording spectacular views of Santa Barbara by the sea. Narrow road, take care driving. Very brief but vertical stair case leads to gated display of pictographs.

A little disappointing. I will the say the absolute best part is the drive. It’s adventurous, challenging, exciting, and you feel like you could drive off the mountain at any moment. So if that’s for you, this is your drive! The “painted rocks” weren’t really painted and there is no where to stop or walk around. You are literally dancing on the edge of the mountain. The coolest part was finding the little hidden town that lives up by the park, really cool way to see people living life in a different style.

Really neat and easy detour if traveling on the 101. Road is very narrow and has a lot of sharp turns and grade changes - best done with a smaller vehicle. Park consists of a small cave and a sign about the Chumash people and what the paintings represent.

The area is beautiful but I would say pass on this not because the cave was a let down but because there is only enough room for at LEAST 2 cars to park. There is a very good chance you won’t find parking. It’s on a 1 car wide road and it’s not in walking distance, it would be too dangerous to try to.

Very mysterious. Very nice. The road which leads to the cave is tricky and can be challenging. Google tried to get us there through a much longer route. However we took to shorter more challenging route and arrived safe. Just stay vigilant while driving there. The cave paintings were little but very delightful and mysterious. Our toddler loved it.

This is an amazing historical place. Is in the middle of no wherebut well worth the vissit

This is a very cool historic place with Chumash Indian paintings. However the area is very small and the paintings are protected behind a gate. It's about 3 miles up from hwy 154. The road is very steep and narrow with tight switchbacks so it was a little scary driving up. Overall a neat place to visit if you have an extra 30 or 40 minutes. And don't forget to sign the booklet inside the iron container to the right of the cave.

Although on a treacherous narrow road.its a beautiful spot. No parking. local drivers would honk at you and cuss as they try to pass you on that steep narrow way. paintings & caves are beautiful. it's just 1 cave. a lot of creepy things which looked like witchcraft were inside the cave. No restrooms.

I really can't overstate how STUNNING this park is. Just this lush, green gem in the middle of some adorable neighborhoods and with a knockout view of the city. We lucked out and landed there on a day when there were only maybe 10 or 12 other people hanging out with their dogs -- from what I've heard it's rare to not be elbow to elbow hanging out there. There's a super modern playground, an impeccably clean bathroom facility, and then just tons of soft, green grass to lay on. SO awesome. A must-see, for sure.

Soo cool!! I love historical places and adventuring, and my trip to see the Chumash Painted Cave highlighted the best of both. The drive up was a lot of fun, and the view at the very top of the mountain after seeing the cave was stunning. Highly recommend for curious people who are easily entertained like me. 😋